Cistern-cleaning device.



c. M. SUTER. CISTE RN CLEANING DEVICE. PPLICATION FILED 1ULY27| 191 Patented J an. 9, 1917.

CYRUS M. SUTER, OF FRANKLIN GROVE, ILLINOIS.

CIS'IERN-CLEANING DEVICE.

Application filed July 27, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

die it known that I, CYRUs M. So'rnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at F ranklin' Grove, in the county of Lee and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in cistern-Cleaning Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to I cistern cleaning devices, the purpose thereof being to provide a simple and efllcient means for removing from the bottom of the cistern the sediment which collectstherein. L

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows my invention, in side elevation, in position when being introduced into the cistern. Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the device in position when in use. Fig. 3 is a front view thereof, looking into the receptacle. Fig; 4 is a plan view thereof, with the handle removed. Fig. 5 shows one of the bails 8, detached. Fig 6 is a partial sectional view, showing a modified form of my invention.

My invention comprises a receptacle, formed of a bottom plate. 1, side plates 2, and a top plate 3, inclined downwardly to a junction with the bottom plate. The above named parts are preferably formed of one piece of sheet metal, the edges of which are united in a seam 4 in the top plate 3. A tail piece 5 is also provided, which is turned over against the pointed end of the receptacle and secured thereto by rivets or other fastening means. The side walls 2 also converge toward the small end of the receptacle, as shown in Fig. 4.

The plate 1 is rovided with an outwardly curved edge 6, w ich conforms to the circle of the side walls of the cistern, and the forward part of such plate is also bent or sprung downwardly to conform to the shape of the lower floor of the cistern, which is usually slightly hollowed or dished.

Secured to the outer faces of the sides 2 are braces 7, between which and said sides are pivoted a pair of bails 8, having upwardly bent portions 9 at their upper ends by means of which they are connected with a shank 10 of a socket 11, which is interiorly threaded and adapted to receive the threaded end of a rod or pipe 12, which forms a handle for the suitable operation of the device.

When the handle is in a vertical position the tendency of the receptacle is to depend therefrom, as shown in Fig. 1, and in this Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1917.

Serial No. 111,689.

position the instrument is lowered into and through the water in a cistern, until the lower end of the receptacle comes in contact with the bottom thereof, whereupon it turns into the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position the tool is employed as a dredge or scraper, collecting a quantity of'the sediment in the cistern, which is then brought to the surface and the receptacle emptied. As soon as the upward movement commences the receptacle again assumes a vertical position, preventing escape of the contents therefrom.

In cleaning the cistern it is desired to disturb the contents thereof as little as possible, and in moving the instrument clownwardly into the cistern the water is divided by the tapering walls of the receptacle, so that there is little orno disturbance thereof, and the sediment at the bottom of the cistern does not become stirred up. 1 The mouth of the receptacle is inclined rearwardly, by forming the bottom plate longer than the top plate, and in moving the device along the bottom of the cistern the water flows more readily over the top thereof, instead of entering the receptacle and disturbing the contents thereof. The forward part of the plate 1 operates more as a scraper than a container, loosening the mud from the cistern bottom and directing it rearwardly into the receptacle. The handle 12 may be formed in any desired length, or may be made in sections, detachably connected with each other, so as to-be separated when not in use.

To prevent the receptacle from swinging when it is'being lowered into the water or removed therefrom the bails 8 are provided near their lower ends with perforations 13, which engage indentations 14 in the braces 7 when the handle and receptacle are in alinement. A friction action is thus produced which prevents accidental change of position of the receptacle with relation to the handle.

In moving the receptacle along the bottom of the cistern a considerable downward force is exerted thereon, to insure a close contact of the lower plate 1 with the bottom of the cistern. The edge 6 of said plate is of suflicient width and possesses enough elasticity to cause the same to conform at all times to the surface of the cistern bottom.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified form of my invention, wherein the pivots of the bails 8 are replaced by a shaft 15, which extends across the mouth of the receptacle, and to which is rigidly attached a plate 16, adapted to close said mouth. The bails 8 are also fixed to the shaft 15, so that whenever the handle is in alinement with the receptacle,

as in raising or lowering the same, theplate 16 operates to close said receptacle, as shown in broken lines. When the receptacle is being moved upwardly through the water, with a quantity ofmud therein, this prevents such contents from being washed out. When the device is .fully withdrawn the contents can be dumped byvresting the lower end of the receptacle upon the ground, such recep- V tacle immediately tipping over into a hori- Zontal position. At the same time the plate Oopies of this patent may be obtained for ment when being moved upwardly or down wardly in the cistern.

' 2. A cistern cleaning device, comprising a receptacle having an opening at one of its ends and walls tapering to a junction at the other end, the edge of the bottom plate thereof being adapted to conform to the bottom of a cistern; a handle pivotally connected with said receptacle, at a point which will maintain the receptacle in vertical alinement when being moved upwardly or downwardly in the cistern; and meansfor yieldingly holding said receptacle in such vertical alinement.

3. A cistern cleaning device, comprising a receptacle having an opening at one of its ends and walls converging to a junction at the opposite end; a handle pivotally connected with said receptacle at its larger end; and a plate, operatively connected with said handle and adapted to close said opening when the handle is in alinement with said receptacle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CYRUS M. SUTER.

Witnesses:

W. N. HASKELL, FRANK WV. HASKELL.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G." 

